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Captain Jean-Luc Picard could soon be exploring the universe once again.

Plans are afoot for a new Star Trek series starring Sir Patrick Stewart, who played the spaceship captain in four feature films, and on TV in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, two writer-producers from the recent CBS/Netflix series Star Trek: Discovery are involved with the planned series: Alex Kurtzman, who co-wrote the 2009 Star Trek film and 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness, and Akiva Goldsman, who won an Oscar with his screenplay for 2001's A Beautiful Mind.

Kurtzman has reportedly signed a $25 million five-year deal with CBS which will see him expand the sci-fi franchise with new spin-off shows and miniseries.

The 44-year-old producer is also taking charge of Star Trek: Discovery, after the programme's showrunners Aaron Harberts and Gretchen Berg were fired last week amid issues with the show's budget and reports of complaints from unhappy colleagues.

Stewart, 77, recently hinted that he might be making a return to the Star Trek universe. When asked earlier this month if he had seen Star Trek: Discovery, he teased: "No, I haven't – but I may have good cause to look at it very soon."

Stewart appeared in 176 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, which ran for 1987-1994, becoming one of the most popular drama series on US television. More than 30 million viewers tuned in to watch the show's two-part finale.